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How to permanently block a number on iPhone

Block a number on iPhone via iOS settings, Silence Unknown Callers, carrier filtering and third-party apps. Step-by-step guide for iOS 17 and 18.

You are receiving repeated calls from an unwanted number on your iPhone and want to stop them for good. iOS provides several layers of protection: individual number blocking, Silence Unknown Callers, and third-party filtering extensions. This guide covers each solution in detail.

Method 1: block from recent call history

Open the Phone app, tap Recents, find the number, tap the (i) button, scroll down and select Block this Caller. Confirm by tapping Block Contact. Calls, FaceTime and messages from that number will be silently ignored.

Method 2: block from a message or contact card

In Messages, open the conversation, tap the number at the top, then tap Info → Block this Caller. This simultaneously blocks calls and messages from that number.

Method 3: manage your blocked numbers list

Go to Settings → Phone → Blocked Contacts → Add New to enter a number directly — useful for pre-emptively blocking numbers found suspicious on TelCheck.

Method 4: enable Silence Unknown Callers

Under Settings → Phone, turn on Silence Unknown Callers. Any call from a number not in your contacts, recent emails or recent messages is automatically sent to voicemail — the most effective solution against callers who rotate numbers.

Method 5: use a call-filtering extension

Go to Settings → Phone → Call Blocking & Identification and enable any installed third-party filtering extensions that maintain regularly updated databases of unwanted numbers.

Register on Bloctel and report on TelCheck

Register on Bloctel (bloctel.gouv.fr) to legally bar most telemarketers. After blocking any number, report it on TelCheck (telcheck.fr) — your contribution immediately protects the wider TelCheck community.